A Prayer for Ukraine

Written by Tonia Bartlett

Mighty God of Heaven and Creation, Lord of Lords, who commands the winds and waves,

We come now to give you glory in our lament, to praise your name as we cry out for your supplication.

Be glorified, Lord, as we humble ourselves before you and join in with the Psalmist who cried out, “O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still!” (Psalm 83:1). Lord, be not still in the face of this evil. We ask for you to move in power on behalf of those in and fleeing Ukraine, who face danger and persecution now.

We pray that those who do evil would be stopped, by your power, Lord! Splendor and majesty are before you, strength and glory are in your sanctuary! (Psalm 96:6) Would you curse the weapons of those who do evil now, and scatter their armies into disarray as you did in Gideon’s day? Deliver the righteous, that all may be reminded of your might and sovereignty over this world.

Lord, from your word, we know your will is for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness to be filled, and we pray alongside the Ukrainians who hunger for justice now (Matthew 5:6). We know that your will is for the orphan, widow, and sojourner to find refuge and be cared for by your people (Deuteronomy 14:29), and so we ask that these things would be taking place now, in the midst of chaos and violence.

We pray for our brothers and sisters in the Ukrainian Church. Open our eyes to see their needs, and move our hearts to be steadfast in prayer for them. May they be witnesses to your goodness and power to those around them now, and we ask for your protection over them, as they minister to those around them at great risk. Protect and preserve them, strengthening them even as fatigue and fear work to weaken them.

Finally, Lord, we pray for the leaders of the world now. Grant them courage to stand up in the face of injustice, and frustrate the plans of the wicked. We pray for President Zelensky, that you would give him the courage he needs to lead his people in difficult times, and we pray for President Putin, that you would soften his heart to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. We pray that any world leader who stands in the way of your righteousness in this conflict would be cast down from their power.

These things we ask as your children, as those who have received your authority and are sent forth to do your will in this world. May your kingdom come in power today, bringing with it the peace and justice we long for in the midst of this broken world.

We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus our Lord and savior. Amen.